Aria Of The Cursed Dragon

Siegfried moved forward until he was right before the King then he slightly bowed with his right hand on his chest in respect. 

" Baron Fraenis... I can't express the amount of gratitude I feel for your unwavering loyalty to the realm, you have defended Britannia from enemies countless times " Uther said in his same bland tone. Although his words seemed encouraging and pleasant his tone was far from it. 

They were right in believing so as he wasn't impressed nor pleased, why should he be pleased about a tool doing what it was supposed to do. 

The rest of the nobles were the same, their gazes held no respect or gratitude for the man who was fighting tirelessly for the realm, only disdain. 

In their eyes, he was just a street rat who should be fortunate to be able to become a noble even if it was the bottom one.

" I was just fulfilling my duty Your Majesty " Siegfried said in a respectful tone seemingly ignoring the negative gazes around him as he was used to it. 

" That may be so, but it still wouldn't sit right with me if I didn't reward a Knight as loyal as Baron Fraenis, you have done far too much for the realm," Uther said in a slightly emotional tone as if he was touched by Siegfried's loyalty which caused the people in the throne room to be confused at the sudden change in the King but they dare not speak out because Uther was very temperamental.

Uther continued speaking as if he hadn't noticed the confusion " At first I couldn't think of what to offer to someone as loyal as you " All the ones who heard Uther's words couldn't help but feel the irony in his words. 

If he truly valued Siegfried then there wouldn't be rumours floating around about him nor would his rank still remain a Baron after all the achievements he had.

" Upon reflection, I couldn't think of a better gift than this....." Uther said in a gracious tone causing everyone to be confused because Uther was behaving too kindly but they still waited with bated breaths for the King to finish. 

" If I may, I would like to offer my daughter's hand in marriage to you ..." Uther's words caused everyone in the room to look at him as if he had said something outrageous. 

Both Siegfried and Artoria's eyes widened, Artoria herself was stunned silly, she didn't expect her father to approve of her relationship with Siegfried. 

But there was expectant look in her gaze as she gazed at Siegfried who stood a few feet away from her. 

Morgan herself was surprised but she kept her face neutral and unreadable because she felt there was something wrong in this whole matter but she couldn't put a finger on it. She decided to wait and watch.

The nobles were the ones who were outraged because of the King's outrageous proposal, they wondered if Uther was in the right state of mind. 

Was he really considering marrying the Crown princess off to a random nobody, they felt suffocated when they thought about it. All of them had plans for Artoria because marrying her meant having the key to the throne of Britain and to have random nobody ruin it was unacceptable for them. 

They decided to voice their discomfort later and try to persuade Uther against it, right now objecting meant going against Uther's authority and a person like Uther wouldn't take kindly to that. 

" Baron Fraenis I would like to offer my daughter Morgan's hand in marriage to you " Uther said in a serious tone, gone was his previous gracious attitude, this time it was more like an order. 

But there was a slightly amused smile on his face as he was enjoying whatever was happening. 

After his words fell there was complete silence in the room, everyone was far too stunned to even respond. 

Artoria had an expression of disbelief on her face, she tried hard to maintain a straight face but it was far too difficult. The higher your expectations are the harder the fall will be when it all crumbles down.

Artoria was in that position as she had let her hope rise for a split second. In the end, she calmed herself down and lowered her head trying her best to just ignore everything. 

But the dull ache in her chest made it hard for her to ignore everything. She slightly raised her head and moved her gaze to Siegfried who was just standing there. 

Although she couldn't see his face due to his facemask she was sure that he was looking at her. Others may not be able to notice anything but she could, she could see him clenching his fist slightly which signified how angry he was but he was just standing there because of her. 

One word from her was enough for him to just tear this farce apart but she couldn't give him the nudge because she was bound by the duty to the realm. 

On one side it was her love on the other side it was her duty, in the end after multiple deliberations Artoria couldn't bring herself to pursue her own happiness because she believed she couldn't do that as it would fail her duty.

She also couldn't make him break his oath ...not for someone like her....

.....

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